Twitter on Thursday released an updated version of its Android app that includes a design overhaul and lets non-Twitter users access the service, among other changes.

As more and more users adopt Android-based smartphones, usage on Twitter for Android has doubled in the last two months, Twitter spokeswoman Carolyn Penner said in a blog post. Six months ago, it wasn't in the top 10 Twitter apps, now it's in the top five alongside twitter.com, m.twitter.com, Twitter for iPhone, and Twitter for BlackBerry, she wrote.

As a result, the app needed an overhaul. It now "looks and feels like our other official Twitter applications and provides a more consistent experience across platforms and devices," Penner wrote.

First up, users can use Twitter for Android even if they don't have a Twitter account.

"You can view trends, browse your interests and see suggested users in several categories, including fashion, entertainment and travel, or search to find out what people are saying about topics you care about, such as big sporting events," Penner wrote.

For those who want to sign up, Twitter for Android allows you to sign up from within the app.

Also on tap is a "significant" redesign. When first signing in, users will see their Twitter timeline. Tabbed icons along the top bar also provides access to @mentions (which also includes re-tweets), messages, and lists. Twitter also added auto-complete for usernames.

Twitter also added universal search to the app, meaning you can also search for tweets near your location and people whose user names include the term you want.

"Last but not least, at the bottom of the search section is one of my favorite new features: you can scan your address book to find which of your friends, who have chosen to be discoverable, are also on Twitter," Penner wrote. "New users will get a chance to do this when they first go through the sign-up process on the app."

Twitter for Android is available now on phones with Android 2.1 or higher.

About the Author

Before joining PCMag.com, Chloe covered financial IT for Incisive Media in NYC and technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's deg... See Full Bio

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